Page images
PDF
EPUB

Eminent Persons who died in July.

July 2-ST. SWITHIN died at Winchester, in 862, having directed that his body should be buried, not in the cathedral, but in the churchyard among the poor. He was born at the commencement of the ninth century, and was educated in a monastery at Winchester, then the capital of the kingdom. He was selected by King Egbert for his chaplain and tutor to his son Ethelwulf. He was placed in the office of Chancellor, and this office he retained after the accession of his royal pupil to the throne. He was made Bishop of Winchester, and he procured a law to pass in the Wittenagemot, for the universal and compulsory payment of tithes. Ethelwulf's son, afterwards Alfred the Great, was from childhood placed under his care, and he accompanied him on a pilgrimage to Rome. He first established, in England, for the benefit of the Pope, the payment called "Peter's pence." In consequence, about fifty years after his death he was canonised. Now comes the legend of St. Swithin. It was thought that the body of the saint ought to be translated from the churchyard to be deposited under the high altar, and the 15th of July was fixed for that ceremony, when there were to be the most gorgeous processions ever seen in England. But he highly disapproved of this disregard to his dying injunction, and sent a tremendous rain, which continued without intermission for forty days, and until the project was abandoned. Ever since, he regulates the weather for forty days from the day of his proposed translation; laying down this rule, that, as that day is fair or foul, it will be fair or foul for forty days thereafter. The founders of the Reformation in England seem either to have believed in his miraculous powers, or to have entertained a very grateful recollection of his services to the church, for they have preserved the 15th of July as a Saint's-day dedicated to Lord Chancellor Swithin! In Scotland for many centuries there has been this proverb :—

"St. Swithin's-day, gif ye do rain,
For forty days it will remain;
St. Swithin's-day, an' ye be fair,
For forty days 'twill rain nae mair."

6. SIR THOMAS MORE, Lord Chancellor of England, was executed 1535. He was the son of Sir John More, and was born in Milk-street, Cheapside, 1480. He went to

He

Oxford, and there formed a close friendship with Erasmus. Having completed his course at Oxford, he applied himself to the study of the law, and was called to the bar. At this time he thought of entering the church, but gave up the idea. He married the daughter of Mr. John Colt, with whom he lived very happily. In 1504 he was returned to the House of Commons, and his maiden speech was directed against granting to the king the exorbitant subsidy which he demanded on the marriage of his daughter. This speech caused the Commons to deny the king's request. On the accession of Henry VIII. he was introduced to the young king and to Wolsey, who were both much pleased with him. In 1514 More gave up his practice at the bar, was knighted and sworn of the Privy Council. He took up his residence at his country house, Chelsea. To his inexpressible grief, he had lost his first wife, by whom he had four children; and he had entered into a second matrimonial union with Mrs. Alice Middleton, who was not always of the sweetest disposition. had soon a very numerous household; for his daughters marrying, they and their husbands and children all resided under his roof, and constituted one affectionate family, which he governed with great gentleness and discretion. More was very agreeable and facetious in company, and became, consequently, such a favourite with the king, that he compelled him to spend far more time at the court than was agreeable to him. In 1523 he was appointed Speaker of the House of Commons. Cardinal Wolsey, having determined to obtain an exorbitant grant of money, went in person to the Commons, brought forward his reasons, and demanded an immediate answer. None of the members spoke, as it was illegal for Wolsey, the king's representative, to be present at their deliberations. Wolsey indignantly called on the Speaker for a reply; but More declared he was incompetent to answer for the members. Wolsey, therefore, in high dudgeon, left the house, and from this time became jealous of More. He continued in favour with the king, who often visited him at Chelsea without previous notice. More was never deceived by this apparent cordiality; for he once said, in speaking of the king, "If my head would win him a castle in Ireland, it should not fail to go."

R

EMINENT PERSONS WHO DIED IN JULY.

More's literary reputation was very great. His most celebrated work is his " Utopia," a philosophical romance. He corresponded with all the celebrated foreign literati. He approved of learned educations for women, and his daughters could write and converse in Latin with ease. In 1529 More was made Lord Chancellor, Wolsey having been deprived of the Great Seal. More was chairman of a committee to prepare articles of charge against Wolsey, and this proceeding is not very creditable to his memory. As a judge in Chancery he ranks very high. His impartiality led him to decide a case against his own son-in-law. His despatch and assiduity were so great, that one morning, before the end of term, he was told there was not another cause or petition to be set down before him, and a prophecy was then uttered which has been fully verified :

"When MORE Some time had Chancellor been,
No more suits did remain ;
The same shall never more be seen,

Till MORE be there again."

The question of the legality of Henry's marriage with Catharine caused More much anxiety. He was a strict Romanist; and as the Pope refused to grant a divorce, he, of course, was opposed to the king's marrying Anne Boleyn. Seeing that the king was resolved upon taking that step, he resigned the Great Seal, 1532. More was invited to the coronation of Anne Boleyn, but declined going, thereby giving her great offence. Charges were brought against More of having received bribes, but of these he cleared himself. Henry, however, was determined upon his downfall. He was called upon to take an oath of allegiance to the king, acknowledging him the Head of the Church of England, and renouncing all obedience to the Bishop of Rome. This More firmly refused to do. He was committed to the Tower. The trial took place on July 1, 1534. It was conducted with an utter disregard to truth, justice, and even decency. The packed jury returned a verdict of GUILTY. More's body was given to his family for interment after his execution. To strike terror into the multitude, his head, stuck on a pole, was placed on London Bridge, but his favourite daughter Margaret procured it to be taken down, preserved it as a precious relic during her life, and, at her death, ordered it to be laid with her in the same grave.

24.-RALPH DE BALDOCK died in 1313. He was educated at Merton College, Oxford, and made Bishop of London in 1304, and Chancellor in 1307, in the reign of Edward I. De Baldock reached his high

station from an obscure origin, having worked his way upward by industry and ability. When appointed Bishop of London, he gained great fame by the splendid repair of St. Paul's Cathedral at his cost; and it was on this occasion that the immense collection of ox sculls were dug up, which fortified the tradition that here had stood a great temple of Diana.

25.-CONSTANTIUS, Emperor of Rome, and father of Constantine the Great, died in 306. His decease was lamented as a public calamity. The comparative purity of his life and the moderation of his government secured the obedience of the nations subdued by him, while his prudence, firmness, and intrepidity gained the confidence of the legions commanded by him. All contemporary writers speak well of him; but it is an unsettled question whether he was a truly Christian man in character and in profession. The Roman empire was now divided into four parts, over which two with the title of Augustus, and two with the title of Cæsar, presided. The companions in power of Constantius were Diocletian, Maximian, and Galerius. Constantius's division of the empire embraced Gaul, Spain, Britain, and Mauritamia; Treves being the seat of government. He died at York.

29.-OLOF THE THICK died 1033. He was successor of Olof Tryggweson, King of Norway, who before ascending the throne had travelled extensively in Russia, Germany, Greece, and England; and thus had learnt, by intercourse with Christian nations, something of the power of the Gospel, and was baptised in the Scilly Islands. Imitating his predecessor, Olof the Thick endeavoured to coerce his Pagan subjects into Christianity. Gudbrand, a zealot for the old religion of the land, brought out into a vast assembly the colossal image of Thor to inspire terror into the king and his adherents; one of whom, named Colbein, at the king's command, demolished the idol, when out crept a number of mice, snakes, and lizards. After this, Olof made war with his Christian subjects upon his Pagan subjects, causing the helmets and shields of the former to be emblazoned with the sign of the cross, and giving as his watchword, "Onward, warriors of Christ! The cross and the king!" In the battle he was mortally wounded, dying the same day, and honoured afterwards as a martyr, though more deserving the name of a persecutor. He much resembled, in his fiery zeal for the truth, one of his cotemporaries, Olof Stautconnung, King of Sweden,

Original Letters.

REV. A. MATHER TO MR. MERRY-
WEATHER.

And

MY DEAR FRIENDS,-I heartily congra June, 1765. tulate you on your nuptial relation and felicity; and cheerfully subscribe Amen to every wish that might increase your love to God and each other, being truly sensible that in this alone consists the temporal and eternal happiness of your precious souls; and though you say you are not yet made perfect in love, yet I and you see even this to be the mark of the prize of your high calling, and are reaching toward it, yea, pressing that you may now apprehend that for which you surely are apprehended by Christ Jesus. It is, alas! too common, though not commendable in any, for the generality of those who may be, in their degree, called real Christians, not to live up to their privileges. May the time past suffice for me and my dear friends to lie under these charges. Oh! Lord, aid us to adorn the Gospel in all things, and walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called; that being ensamples to the flock, we may boldly say, Be ye followers of us as we are of Christ. I pray you may yet see more and more of the fruit of your labours in preparing a place for the name of the Lord. may our hearts be his continual habitation through the Spirit! Certainly we cannot escape if we neglect to use our talent; we have but one, let us, therefore, not only if use, but double our diligence in the use thereof. As you have abridged your worldly business, you will have time upon your hands, not as a burden I hope, but a blessing. Husband well every moment; devote it to private fellowship with God; and this will abundantly assist in your public labours for him, both in comfort and success. I am almost weary of building houses, having been less or more engaged in the building and repairing ever since I was in your circuit. Yet, I think they have all, in a less or higher degree, answered a good end already, and I hope will more abundantly in due time. my own spiritual building, I trust it goes As to on, and an increasing desire for the good of mankind makes me willing to spend and to be spent in the work. As to your query, "Can you, will you, come," does not depend upon me to answer, as such things are determined by others. I can only pray that while so many are writing for me I may be where God wills, and I

shall be right. I hope that you and they will pray that I may be more faithful and useful wherever I am. I have no personal objection to Yorkshire. work has and does still prosper in these The parts. Your affectionate friend and servant in the Gospel, A. MATHER.

REV. J. WESLEY TO REV. ADAM
CLARKE.

Jan. 3, 1791.

DEAR ADAM,-I suppose the account sent to Mr. Mather concerning you was not sent out of love. I am glad you have cleared up the matter: so let it die. But you startle me when you talk of grieving so much for the death of an infant. This is certainly a proof of inordinate affection; and, if you love them thus, all your children will die. How did Mr. De Renty behave when he supposed his wife to be dying? There is a pattern for a Christian. But you forget to send me anything about magnetism. J. B. is a weak brother. him not complain. He behaved ill both at Jersey and Guernsey; but let him behave well now, and that will be forgotten. Wishing my dear sister Clarke and you many happy years,-I am, my dear Adam, your affectionate friend and brother, J. WESLEY.

Let

REV. JOSEPH BRADFORD TO REV.
J. WINSCOM.

Manchester, Aug. 5, 1791.
MY DEAR BROTHER,-I have just time to
inform you that you are to continue in the
Oxford Circuit another year; that your
walking plan was laid before the Confer-
ence, but rejected by them; and I am
desired by that body to inform you that
they judge you to meddle with things that
belong only to the assistant, and that they
recommend you to mind your own business
only. I most cordially wish you every
good, and am, with love to Mrs. Winscom
and self, yours, most affectionately,
JOSEPH BRADFORD.
P.S. Since I wrote the above, I am in-
formed you are stationed for Wells, near
Lynn.

REV. J. WINSCOM TO REV. J.
BRADFORD.

Wycomb, Aug. 8, 1791.
MY DEAR BROTHER,-I received yours of
the 5th instant this morning, for which I

thank you; but, as your postcript is an alteration from the former part, I cannot possibly comply with it under three months at least, as my affairs must undergo a considerable alteration before I go to so great a distance. I must beg you to inform the Conference I cannot comply with Wells, near Lynn. I will readily take any circuit within forty miles of Winton. Respecting the charge of "meddling with things only belonging to the assistant," as it is a general charge, I cannot answer anything to it other than this, saying, the information is false, unless the proposed plan for walking is such; and yet, that it is not, I prove by Brother Horner's letter of May 28, which

justifies me in that, excepting my laying the proposal of that plan before Mr. Wesley; and, I believe, you know I have had for years authority from him to lay any improvement before him I thought would be useful, and, therefore, I must be acquitted on that head. The change of circuit is from bad information, unless there is anything that has not come to my knowledge, which I am not conscious there is, as you, Dr. Coke, and Mr. Mather all know. I could not go so far. I hardly think the alteration for Wells can be the result of Conference deliberation, but from another cause. I am, yours, J. WINSCOM.

A HINT TO JABEZ

The Vindicator.

The doctrine of essential and universal equality, founded on the possession of one common nature, physical, intellectual, moral, by all the members of the great human family, and on the consequent equality of their natural rights and claims to all the bounties of Divine Providence and Grace,an equality, perfectly compatible with an endless variety of social and relative, civil and religious relations and regulations,― the doctrine of this equality, though doubted by some, and denied by others, is the purest, the most sacred, the most sublime of all doctrines; it is the basis of all genuine freedom; it is the great principle of universal equality between man and man; it is the key-stone of the arch, on which the entire fabric of all just human legislation rests. It is immaterial, therefore, whether man is high or low, bulky or slender, black or white; it is immaterial what the contour of his countenance, or the hue of his complexion, or the colour of his skin, is; it is immaterial, whether he is clothed with all the gorgeous drapery of royalty, or covered with the skin of the animal, that he has slain in the chase; it is immaterial, so far as the grand essentials of his nature and character are concerned, what man is in all these external, changeable points of view ;-he is the same being, essentially, universally, indestructibly; the construction of his body, and the constitution of his mind, the powers and passions of the former, and the faculties and affections of the latter, are the same; his capacity for pleasure or pain, his capabilities for good or evil, are the same; his claims on the bounties of a gracious Providence, his interest in the benefits of redeeming grace, are the same; the great

obligations and duties of every kind which he owes to God and man are the same. The consequences of denying the doctrine of equality are infinitely more absurd and untenable than any thing that can be supposed to arise from its ree and full admission. The truth of this doctrine is sustained by all the considerations of analogy or identity that appertain to the origin, conformation, and competence of the human race. Man universally is cast in the same mould, impressed with the same form and features, and endowed with the same capabilities of thought and action, of virtue or vice, of pleasure or pain. The perfect equality of all men in nature and rank, is the source of their perfect equality in right and privilege; this equality, therefore, all reason must acknowledge, all law recognise, and all power defend; it is the foundation of all legal and regal justice and truth; it is that great principle which pervades and regulates all jurisdiction and administration; it is the infallible criterion, the invulnerable guardian, of all equity and impartiality, of all that is relatively, as well as absolutely, good and right.-Daniel Chapman.

WORDS TO JOHN HANNAH. CALL NO MAN MASTER. No creed, confession of faith, or articles of religion, are farther to be regarded than they can be proved by the Scriptures-the only rule, and the sufficient rule, of both faith and practice. And, with regard to this, every individual must examine and judge for himself, calling no man, let his abilities or integrity be what they may, master or father, on earth, and crediting no man's doctrine further than it is, in his judgment, proved from Scripture in his judgment, I say; for as

every man must give an account of himself to God, so must every man judge for himself.-Rev. Joseph Benson.

A DISINTERESTED MAN.--How amiable is the man who loses sight of his own interest for the public good; who is proof against flattery and threatenings; and who, with principles and a conduct as simple as the light, magnifies his office, discharges his duty, and perseveres, with zeal, patience, and unshaken firmness, in defending his own and the people's religious privileges! May God Almighty enable us all to be herein like-minded !-Rev. Samuel Bradburn.

DESPOTISM AMONG THE PRIESTS.-Of all the tempers which true Protestants abhor, none seem to them more detestable than that of those Gnosticks who, under the common pretence of orthodoxy or infalli bility, shut their eyes against the light, think plain Scripture beneath their notice, enter their protest against reason, steel their breast against conviction, and are so rooted in blind obstinacy that they had rather hug error in an old fantastic dress than embrace the naked truth newly emerging from under the streams of prejudice;-impetuous streams these, which the dragon casts out of his mouth that he may cause the celestial virgin to be carried away with the flood.-Rev. xii. 15. Alas! how many professors are there, who, like St. Stephen's opponents, judges, and executioners, are neither able to resist, nor willing to admit, the truth; who make their defence by stopping their ears and crying out, The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord are we; who thrust the supposed heretic out of their sanhedrim; who, from the press, the pulpit, or the dictator's chair, send volleys of hard in inuations or bold assertions, in hopes that they will pass for solid arguments; and who,

when they have no more stones or snowballs to throw at the supposed Philistine, prudently avoid drawing the sword of the Spirit, retire behind the walls of their fancied orthodoxy, raise a rampart of slan derous contempt against the truth that besieges them, and obstinately refuse either candidly to give up or manfully to contend for the un-Scriptural tenets which they will impose upon others as pure Gospel.— Rev. John Fletcher.

MINISTERS HAVE NO RIGHT TO MAKE LAWS.-I know not of any natural or Scriptural right that ministers, joined in a synod, have to make new laws for Christian Churches; nor have single Christians or congregations any right or leave, much less an obligation, to subject themselves and their consciences to such a dominion of men in things which neither Scripture nor nature requires. It is the ready way, by degrees, to put other kings into the kingdom of Christ, who alone is Sovereign in his Church. It is a dangerous thing for Christians to give themselves up to the will of fallible men; by such subjection they will find, by woeful experience, many things, by degrees, imposed upon them that will neither suit with their conscience nor conveniency; with their own inclinations, or their faithful subjection to Christ. What has been the event of this in all ages may justly be again expected, if the same experiment be made.

CONSCIENCES MUST NOT BE COMPELLED.— In what is the Bishop of Rome more justly the object of our abhorrence than his claiming a supremacy over conscience? And if any man, on account of his property, influence, wisdom, or piety, arrogate a power to compel the conscience of others in their duty to God, he precisely resembles him who exalteth himself above all that is called God.-Michael Longridge.

General Intelligence.

RECENT DEATHS.

ELIJAH HEDDING, D.D., senior bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America, died April 9, 1852, aged 72, in the fifty-first year of his ministry and in the twenty-eighth of his episcopal services. His piety was deep and earnest, but unaffected and simple. His intellectual powers were characterised by clearness of perception, breadth of view, and strength of movement. His manners were simple and plain. His heart was sympathetic and kind. His mind was harmonious and symmetrical. His labours were extensive and successful.

REV. SAMUEL LEIGH died at Reading, May 2, 1852, aged 66. In 1812 he entered the Wesleyan ministry, and in 1815 was appointed to New South Wales, where, and at New Zealand, he laboured for about sixteen years. Thousands have been af fected while listening at missionary meetings to his touching descriptions of the sanguinary inhabitants of those distant regions. After his return he laboured in some small English circuits until 1845, when he became a supernumerary at Reading. He was courageous and calm.

REV. JOHN DAVIS died at Liverpool, May 16, 1852, aged 70. He entered on the itine

2

« PreviousContinue »